Dustin Poirier has promised to finish his story via KO, Paulo Costa via secret juice and Sean Strickland … well, he’s hinted at scoring the first confirmed kill in UFC history.
And if that happens?
“I expect a f…ing bonus,” the polarising American shouted at a heaving UFC 302 press conference in New Jersey this morning.
One which also saw reigning UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev exchanging with Poirier over either long boos, or loud chants of U-S-A – depending on who had the microphone – about exactly how one of the year’s most hyped cards will be topped this Sunday.
UFC 302: MAKHACHEV VS POIRIER | SUN 2 JUNE 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
A back-and-forth that continued all the way through questions and into the face off, when the pair had to be separated by UFC security as the jawing intensified.
Indeed, even when the first question of the press conference was thrown his way, Makhachev had to pause for several moments before replying, so loud was the Bronx cheer that greeted him from just across the river in Newark.
“What’s up guys?” the champ eventually replied, grinning.
Cue more boos.
Then Poirier flexing.
At which point Makhachev said he felt sorry for the Louisiana contender who, after 14 years in the UFC without ever getting to that elusive lightweight strap, he then insisted never will.
“I feel very, very bad for Dustin,” the champ started.
“He’s had problems with the wrestlers, always.
“And I will give him the problem.”
Soon after, he continued: “He can’t be champion … listen, listen, thank you guys.”
Poirier, meanwhile, stressed he was readying to finish his story “the right way” – and stressed the UFC 302 headliner was not going the distance.
“He’s a finisher,” the fighter dubbed ‘Diamond’ said of the champ.
“He’s out there finishing guys, submitting guys, knocking them out.
“So this fight isn’t going the distance.
“One of us is going down and it will be my pleasure to walk out there and fight out”.
A prediction he clarified later by adding of his plans for Makhachev: “I’ll knock him out”.
None of which seemed to bother the champ who, dressed down in a black tracksuit and white t-shirt, responded soon after by explaining how his rival was so bad at jumping the guillotine he now even joked about it.
Which is why, he added, again with a grin, that he would have to use Sunday’s fight to show Poirier how to do it right.
“Listen,” Poirier shot back, “the Gilly Goose Gang ain’t taking applications”.
And Strickland?
“I don’t know how much f…ing secret juice Paulo has,” he started, looking across the stage at a Brazilian rival who was wearing a white, puffer jacket, no shirt, and large silver chain and ‘Secret Juice’ pendant.
“But the only shot you got man, you better get f…ing lucky.
“You better have the f…ing Gods in your favour.
“Because I’m going to beat your f…ing d… into the dirt.”
Which would likely be the strangest finish in UFC history.
But still, the fighter all guns and God Bless America wasn’t done.
Quickly reminding Costa too of the way Israel Adesanya mocked him immediately after a previous loss.
“But don’t worry,” he cackled, “I’m ain’t going to f… you like Izzy did”.
To which, Costa responded by saying Strickland needed a wife, should wear more than the same white t-shirt all week and would be gifted some of his secret juice after the fight, just to make him look better.
“Facts though,” the American shot back.
“I like Costa.
“He’s a funny mother…er.
“I think we all like Costa.
“And we’re going to f…ing bleed for you guys.
“I’m going to sacrifice some brain cells for you guys … for America.”
Maybe more too.
“You know, Costa has done more trolling than fighting,” continued the man who shocked the world, and won over Australian fight fans, after upsetting Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title last year.
“But the man can f…ing fight.
“He can hit hard occasionally and we’re going to have a f…ing war.
“Just because we laugh and joke, it doesn’t mean we won’t get in that cage and try to f…ing kill each other.
“And if one of us gets the first confirmed kill in the UFC I expect us to get a f…ing bonus.
“Make no mistake, we laugh and joke.
“But come (Sunday) it’s to the death.”
To which Costa smiled and said he was ready to take Strickland’s tag as No.1 contender for new South African champ Dricus du Plesis.
“Costa,” the American shouted back, “I can’t wait to make your f…ing face a little f…ing uglier”.
Between the main eventers, Poirier was also talking about his career, and how he would feel with or without a title, when the champ interrupted: “Dustin, why you so nervous?
“Relax. Enjoy man.
“Let’s have fun”.
“What’s this dude talking about,” the challenger shot back.
But still, Makhachev wasn’t done.
“He always look good when fighting some striking guys,” the champ continued.
“(Michael) Chandler, guys like this focused on the striking.
“But when he meets with wrestlers he always have trouble … that’s why he don’t believe”.
Poirier: “He should listen to his coaches and box, like they’re telling him to. Do that. Let’s box”.
Makhachev: “This is not boxing. This is MMA, man.”
Poirier: “Well, you gunna sleep like its boxing”.
Cue raucous cheers.
But again, the champ had more.
“If you don’t tap,” he said dryly, “you sleep”.
All of which made for one of the better press conferences of this year.
Same deal when a reporter asked about Makhachev telling UFC officials he doesn’t want his belt adorned with another ruby if he wins this fight, as is custom, but a diamond.
To which Poirier simply shrugged.
“I want the whole f…ing belt,” he said.
Source Agencies
